Identity by Nora Roberts -> Starting June 12th, 2023

[Alaina]

A new thriller about one man's ice-cold malice, and one woman's fight to reclaim her life.

Former Army brat Morgan Albright has finally planted roots in a friendly neighborhood near Baltimore. Her friend and roommate Nina helps her make the mortgage payments, as does Morgan's job as a bartender. But after she and Nina host their first dinner party—attended by Luke, the flirtatious IT guy who'd been chatting her up at the bar—her carefully built world is shattered. The back door glass is broken, cash and jewelry are missing, her car is gone, and Nina lies dead on the floor.

Soon, a horrific truth emerges: It was Morgan who let the monster in. "Luke” is actually a cold-hearted con artist named Gavin who targets a particular type of woman, steals her assets and identity, and then commits his ultimate goal: murder.

What the FBI tells Morgan is beyond chilling. Nina wasn't his type. Morgan is. Nina was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. And Morgan's nightmare is just beginning. Soon she has no choice but to flee to her mother's home in Vermont. While she struggles to build something new, she meets another man, Miles Jameson. He isn't flashy or flirtatious, and his family business has deep roots in town. But Gavin is still out there hunting new victims, and he hasn't forgotten the one who got away.

[Ashlyn]

Going to finish up like three books then start this one before it's due back.

[Melanie]

I am finally starting this one.

[Melanie]

The life of being eternally behind, should be getting to this one shortly.

[Ashlyn]

Same

[Karen ♐]

Waiting for my library copy...

[Geri]

I have a copy and I’m on the waitlist (available soon) on my second account. LOL That way I can start whenever both of you have a copy.

[Laura]

I'm here. Does next Monday work?

[Geri]

Yes. That should work. Hopefully, Karen has a copy by then!

[Karen ♐]

Just got my copy. So I’ll definitely be able to start by Monday.

[Laura]

🙂

[Geri]

Karen ♐ wrote: "Just got my copy. So I’ll definitely be able to start by Monday."

Great! Should we start now or next Monday?

[Karen ♐]

It's up to both of you. I'm fine either way.

[Laura]

Next Monday would work better for me

[Geri]

Ok. I’m fine with Monday. 🙂

[Geri]

Buddy Read

Starting July 31

Everyone welcome to join!

[Kira]

Chapter 1-6: (view spoiler)[I do feel like Morgan trusted Luke way too easily and shouldn't have brought a literal stranger to her home so soon, it was a foolish decision on her part. It was also a bit frustrating that despite Luke being MIA since Nina's murder, she didn't connect the dots until those FBI agents came knocking in. Having said that, Morgan's family is unbelievably supportive and I am able to see hope in her future in Vermont (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Chapter 7-13: (view spoiler)[One thing I like about Nora Roberts as an author is how engrossed I feel in the story and this one is no different. Although Morgan seems a bit childish to me at times, I am still enjoying the story thoroughly. Luke/Gavin is a total psychopath and he did manage to scare me tbh. Morgan and Miles' sort of date was quite wonderful and I want to see more of their romance (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Chapter 14-19: (view spoiler)[Gavin is clearly unraveling and becoming more and more dangerous with every passing day, I am curious to see the final showdown between him and Morgan. Her starting to dare Miles didn't come off quite as charmingly as I had hoped for it to be and I am a bit disappointed on that front ngl (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Chapter 20-26: (view spoiler)[This book is starting to drag a little bit imo and I just want the big confrontation to happen asap, Gavin needs to be put behind bars before he manages to kill any more people. I enjoyed the dinner party scene but I wish Dawn wasn't a part of it to dampen the mood (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Finished: (view spoiler)[Well well well that was surely something, Gavin definitely lost his marbles towards the end there and I really liked the safeword Morgan and Miles came up with. It was a happy ending like I expected! (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Chapters 1-7
(view spoiler)[ Enjoying this so far. It was heartbreaking to see Morgan mourn her best friend. I'm glad she has the support of her family and realized she needed them. Needing help is not a bad thing. Far too often as women we don't ask for it.
I don't think it was too soon for her to ask Luke to her house especially since there were two other people there. Most of us still believe there is good in people and would have accepted the phone excuse just as she did. (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Ch 1-7
(view spoiler)[
The first few chapters were predictable since I read the book description right before starting. Gavin was a sleeze and psychopath! It wasn’t fun reading about her life falling apart.

I did think Castle the mobster would be the reason Morgan would have to leave her home. But surprise, surprise, he actually was nice in the end. I am wondering if he will come back later in the book. Maybe he will help her. Because I know Gavin will be back.

Morgan’s family is great! And I’m happy she has a job and things are looking up.
(hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

@ Geri
(view spoiler)[ good point about the mobster! (hide spoiler)]

[Karen ♐]

Chap 1-7
(view spoiler)[
Poor Morgan! I don’t blame her at all for inviting Gavin over for dinner. In fact, it seemed like a really good idea. Her roommate and her bf were there too. As I was reading, I thought this could really happen! And I thought that Castle was going to be her problem at first too.

I love her Mom and Grandmother! And now she has a new job and things are definitely looking better for her.
(hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Chapters 8-20
(view spoiler)[I like Morgan. I love how talented, creative and artistic she is. It's definitely great skills to have. I agree with Kira, there's eventually going to be a showdown between Morgan and Luke/Gavin. Can't wait to see what happens

A Roberts book usually equals some suspense. I'm not feeling any suspense in this one.
(hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Ch 8-15
(view spoiler)[
Interesting getting into Gavin’s mind. I knew he would want to go after Morgan again. Once she has something he can take from her again. And yep, in ch 15 he did take another loan out in her name. I agree, his behavior is becoming more reckless and will lead to him being caught.

The Jamison’s are a fun family. Roberts knows how to write feel good moments, even while keeping the suspense.

I do enjoy the humor. About the dog and Morgan’s getting in shape and taking self defense lessons.

So far the romance is pretty slow burn for me. This is more suspense rather than romance to me.

I do predict Opal will be a reason why Gavin gets close to Morgan. She really is angry at Morgan.
(hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Interesting how we view the same book differently. I think there is very little suspense. This is more about Morgan and her relationship and family.
Love the dog!

[Geri]

I feel the suspense of Gavin pining after Morgan. Knowing he will go after Morgan again. And Morgan knowing he hasn’t forgotten her.

[Laura]

I think I like the last Nora Roberts book we buddy read better then this one. I read a Karen Robards book a few weeks ago and it was non stop action with tonnes of suspense. I'm finding this one lacking. I want to know what's going to happen but it definitely isn't her best book. ( Or I don't think so)

[Geri]

Ch 16-24

(view spoiler)[
Okay! The romance has started. Morgan and Miles are good together.

I did roll my eyes a little over Miles’ family discussing his relationship with Morgan. LOL

We are really getting to know Gavin. His targeting of victims. Not a good thing! I know these chapters are the calm before the storm when Gavin finally goes after Morgan.
(hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Laura wrote: "I think I like the last Nora Roberts book we buddy read better then this one. I read a Karen Robards book a few weeks ago and it was non stop action with tonnes of suspense. I'm finding this one la..."

Yes. The last Roberts buddy read was great. I think it was The Witness. The romance was so good! This book is a little paint by numbers. I do enjoy the description of Vermont. I went there several years ago. And it was beautiful.

I haven’t read Robards in a long time. Which book did you read?

[Karen ♐]

I haven't read your spoilers but so far (on Chap 12) I feel like this book is a lot of background or set up. Have to agree that other books of hers kept me wanting to read the next chapter...and the next...

[Laura]

Finished
(view spoiler)[Predictable ending..3 star read for me. I enjoyed it but not my favorite
Morgan deserves her happy ending. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

I read two, Geri
Shiver and Hush both romantic suspense with the action and suspense that I love.

Sometimes I find current mindset has a lot to do with how I might enjoy a book or not. I'm looking forward to going back to my Whiskey Creek series.

[Geri]

I’ve never read Whiskey Creek. The books are good?

Also, when do you want to buddy read Possession?

[Laura]

Yes, they are! I've read the novella and book 1 & 2

[Laura]

Geri wrote: "I’ve never read Whiskey Creek. The books are good?

Also, when do you want to buddy read Possession?"

I just put a hold on it. I'm next in line, approximately two weeks Libby said. Sooner if I can get it, earlier?

Karen, I'm slowly picking away at Reckless Road.

[Karen ♐]

No problem, Laura.

[Geri]

I’ll check out the Robards books and Whiskey Creek series.

Just let me know on the Fallen Angels thread when you have your book.

I should be done with Identity today or tomorrow.

[Karen ♐]

Loved the Whiskey Creek series!

[Geri]

Finished
(view spoiler)[
This was a 3.5 star read for me.

Gavin was such a psychopath! I did enjoy Morgan and Miles families. But it took way too long before Gavin and Morgan have their showdown. I also wish the romance had a little bit of conflict and more heat. That would have made it better for me.
(hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

@ Geri
(view spoiler)[definitely could have used more heat (hide spoiler)]

[Karen ♐]

Ch 8-15
(view spoiler)[
The romance in this is very slow burn. I am enjoying Morgan with her Mom and Grandmother, who is a hoot! And then Gavin gets another credit card in Morgan's name! He is sick, sick, sick. He kills someone just because he wants to get that buzz???? Can't wait until they catch him.

I'm afraid Opal is somehow going to get involved in this too. Obviously, Morgan got the job that Opal wanted. Sorry to say I have dealt with people like this. It's tough.

I'm really enjoying the entire Jameson family too. And, of course, I love how Morgan has a trainer nicknamed The Destroyer!
(hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Yes, Karen. Both families really are great. Definitely the best part of the book for me too.

[Karen ♐]

Finished
(view spoiler)[
I really ended up enjoying this book. The last part was so good. I liked how we were able to follow Gavin (not the killing part of course) as he made his way closer and closer to Morgan. I was so glad that she was the one to take him down.

The romance was kind of blah for me. Definitely didn't have enough heat and no real problems (outside of Gavin) to deal with. The families (secondary characters) are what made this story good IMO. I did enjoy the epilogue.

3.5 stars
(hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

I enjoyed the secondary characters too!

[Ashlyn]

I'm hoping to start this next week.

[Ashlyn]

Going to start it this weekend.

[Ashlyn]

Okay, I will start this soon.